How Partnership in B City Reaches the Stomach and Heart
Community of Joy in India was able to plant a new ministry work in a place we’ll call B City. It’s a community of about 17,000 people located on the outskirts of a big city. B City is a community made up of both Hindu and Muslim faiths with no church or Christian presence in the area. Strategically, and by the Lord’s direction, Community of Joy purchased a two-story building with a generous gift from a North American Live Global partnering church.
After the building was purchased and remolded, the Covid pandemic thwarted the B City Community Center to open; however, this did not stop vital ministry and aid from occurring. Providing relief and food to widows and the poor of the community as well has having Zoom ESL lessons were just few areas that Community of Joy served the community.
In Person English Classes in B City
In the Spring of 2021, Community of Joy, once again, offered English classes in person in a classroom environment. This educational component attracted parents in the community and more than 50 children attend classes while another 50 are waiting to register. In addition to English class, many of these students come to the center on Sunday night to attend a Children’s Bengali Church Service and a youth group.
B City's First Overnight English Camp
This past weekend, the Community of Joy English Center team went a step further and offered an overnight English camp for 50 students from their four English centers. Parents for the first time entrusted this team and allowed them the overnight camp experience. Our US Live Global team in India provided English lessons, games, and crafts. By using the camp as a platform, the National leadership team was able to present the Gospel in the form of stories. The camp was a huge success and plans are already in the making for future camp opportunities.
As the students were debriefed at the closing of camp, one student stood. He told how much he enjoyed everything and that he would recommend camp to everyone. When asked to name one specific thing that he liked, he said that for the first time he could eat all he wanted. He never had the opportunity to do so before and for the first time, he ate until his stomach was full.
The Live Global team hung their heads with tears in their eyes. How humbled they were by his words. How grateful they were for the financial partners that provided the budget for the camp. Meeting this boy’s physical needs allowed his spiritual needs to be sensitive and opened to hearing the Gospel.
What a touching testimony to our own hearts. How many times we will take 2-3 servings of food during a meal, only to take a “taste” or “sample” of His Word. May this be a lesson for us to feast on His “all you can eat” Word.
